The New York Yankees have been spinning out of control as evident in a lackluster month of June in which the ball club posted a 13-14 record after starting the season 35-22 through the conclusion of May. Besides falling out of first place in the American League East to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Yankees are confronting a significant injury to a key ball player. Right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt has sustained damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow and is seeking a second opinion before committing to season-ending surgery. The 29-year-old pitcher is signed to a one-year, $3.6 million contract and has two years remaining of arbitration eligibility according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts. Reality paints an ominous picture for Schmidt as the Yankees need to deftly address roster concerns given how Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is set for July 31st at 6:00 PM ET.

Prior to Schmidt’s injury, upgrades at third base and relief pitching appeared to be top priorities for the Yankees. Now, they also need an experienced starting pitcher behind left-handers Max Fried and Carlos Rodón in the rotation. While internal options would be preferrable in terms of right-handed pitchers Marcus Stroman and Will Warren, the Yankees need to think beyond the regular season and envision what would a pitching rotation look like in a best-of-three Wild Card or best-of-five Division Series. Right-handed pitcher Luis Gil is still recovering from a high-grade latissimus dorsi strain and could make his season debut within a month. In the absence of Schmidt, the Yankees plan to look at right-handed pitching prospect Cam Schlittler.

New York Yankees And Third Base Concerns

The Yankees passed on free agent third baseman Alex Bregman who signed a three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. Bregman’s last appearance in a ball game this season was on May 23rd after sustaining a right quad strain against the Baltimore Orioles. Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals has been at the epicenter of rumors for several months, but a full no-trade protection and contract complexities will keep the 10-time Gold Glove Award winner far away from the Bronx. Jazz Chisholm Jr. has demonstrated a willingness to play anywhere for the Yankees, but his skills and defensive prowess are best suited at second base. While he possesses a strong arm, it can be unpredictable as evident in many throws across the diamond to first base.

A natural athlete who plays baseball with a youthful exuberance, Chisholm Jr. has regressed in three key advanced fielding metrics this season at third base: defensive runs saved (DRS), outs above average (OAA) and fielding run value (FRV) according to FanGraphs. In 238 innings through July 7th, Chisholm Jr. has posted a -4 DRS, -3 OAA and -2 FRV. In 251 innings at second base this season, Chisholm Jr. has posted a 3 DRS, 3 OAA and 2 FRV. Over the past three weeks, he has been playing through pain with a sore right shoulder. His footwork and instincts at third base are unnatural regardless of the maximum effort Chisholm Jr. has put into playing the position.

The Yankees’ best option at third base is Oswald Peraza, but his offensive limitations make him an ideal defensive replacement late in a ball game. As it is too early to determine which ball clubs will be buyers and sellers at the trade deadline, the Yankees are taking a chance on Jeimer Candelario by signing him to a minor league contract. The 31-year-old third baseman was released by the Cincinnati Reds on June 29th after appearing in 22 ball games this season. In December 2023, Candelario signed a three-year, $45 million contract with a $18 million club option ($3 million buyout) for the 2027 season according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts. In 5,978.1 innings at third base throughout his career, Candelario has posted a -29 DRS, -3 OAA, and -2 FRV according to FanGraphs.

Clubhouse Mood For New York Yankees

As the Yankees are looking to recover after losing seven out of 10 ball games concluding on July 6th, everything begins with the mood and pulse of the clubhouse. Team captain Aaron Judge made it abundantly clear the losing streak wasn’t affecting the clubhouse. After a recent victory against the New York Mets, outfielder Cody Bellinger talked about how the ball club’s confidence never wavers, and they are coming out every day expecting to win games. He also reiterated how experience plays a pivotal role in helping a clubhouse navigate the difficulties that accompany a long regular season.

Besides conversations on injuries, pitching and third base leading up to the trade deadline, the Yankees need to ask themselves a series of difficult questions. The first involves Judge and what the Yankees could be doing better to ensure that his magnificence is not wasted during the prime years of a career destined for the Hall of Fame. The 33-year-old Judge will be one-third of the way through his nine-year, $360 million contract at the end of the season. The other question pertains to shortstop Anthony Volpe’s prolonged slumps and whether the Yankees need to adjust their expectations regarding his development?

New York Yankees Need A Blockbuster Trade

It seems as if the Yankees need to make a blockbuster trade that can address multiple concerns. While few are waving the white flag prior to the All-Star Game, the Arizona Diamondbacks are the most intriguing ball club given the amount of talent that could become available if they decide to become sellers amid fierce competition for one of the three wild card spots in the National League. The Yankees would be amenable to conversations with the Diamondbacks if they involved third baseman Eugenio Suárez and right-handed pitcher Zac Gallen. Both are free agents at season’s end which adds an additional layer of intrigue as to how the Diamondbacks will proceed in the coming weeks.

The New York Yankees will be at the epicenter of trade deadline rumors this month involving third basemen, relief and starting pitchers. Names such as Ke’Bryan Hayes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Ryan McMahon of the Colorado Rockies have already been mentioned as potential trade possibilities at third base. Regardless of the rumors, the Yankees must be committed to moving Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to second base and relegating DJ LeMahieu to a utility role. As Chisholm Jr. just earned his second All-Star Game selection mostly for his offensive exploits and playing out of position, just imagine what he could do playing second base during the second half of the season for the Yankees.